handle the checkout so we can work on that thing that's stuck in the thing. [ female announcer ] today, cisco is connecting the internet of everything. so everyone goes home happy. [ticking] [raucous orchestral music] >> what hath marty cooper wrought? let us go for a moment back to the future. >> new york, calling all cars for a preview of tomorrow. >> the cell's precursor, the car telephone, came in right after world war ii. >> a tiny radio transmitter sends your voice out over the airwaves to the nearest central station, where regular telephone operators can connect you with any telephone on land or sea. >> world of wonders. if someone was sick, you could track down the doctor on the road. >> well, just keep him in bed, and i'll be there in ten minutes. >> remember, these were the quaint old days when doctors, at least in newsreels, made house calls. >> hen-pecked elmer is shopping for the wife at home. >> even then, it was clear that being connected would put everyone on a very short leash. >> george, i forgot to tell you: now, get me two dozen oranges, two loaves of bread, 20 pounds of p